Sunday, June 28, 2009

Saturday, June 27, 2009

While Greg was doing test rides, preparing for his ride across the state, I was making lists and gradually stacking things in piles. Kidlet, Kiko Dog and I were going to drive out to pick him up and camp in Great Basin National Park. Greg left on his ride a week ago Friday. We were to meet today. I am at home and my blessed Mom-in-Law is driving out to meet him, with the fancy French wine with which we were going to celebrate his achievement. Yeah. I got a concussion on Tuesday due to my incredible klutziness (I slammed my head on a steel support while I was standing up under said steel support). I've been feeling sick, not myself, and headache-y ever since.

Today, as I drove the wine and other treats across town to my Mom-in-Law, I thought "What are you doing? You should be going." As I drove back across town to drop her dog off at her mother's house, I could feel my concentration waning, a tightening between my eyes forming. Ok, we made the right decision not to go but I'm still disappointed as hell.

I'm proud of you, Boo. I wish we were there to share the wine and hear about your adventure. Linda, thanks for volunteering to help me out of a tough situation. Mama, thanks for all your support. And Debbie and Patrick, y'all are just too sweet. At least I've got good people, even if I don't have all my faculties about me.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Bean tagged me for a meme that originally asked what were 'six unimportant things that make you happy'. Bean changed it to 'six silly things that make you happy'. I'm sticking with Bean since these things aren't unimportant (to me anyway). These small things contribute greatly to my happiness.

1.. I love old signage (see awful photo above). I love the stuff that makes you think of the '30s, '40s and '50s. I'm old fashioned in many ways and I like to daydream about the past. Old stuff seems to be filled with much more style and panache (in my wee humble opinion).

2.. Summer treats. I love sno-cones, milkshakes, pies, and smores. But I can be healthy too; I also love peaches, cherries, and any berry that I can get my paws on.

3.. Gliding on my skateboard. I'm still only brave enough to ride around the warehouse when no one is there. It's smooooooooth.

4.. A good cup of coffee. 'Nuff said.

5.. Smooth rocks that you can put in your pocket. Not rocks that stop your skateboard from gliding (see number 3).

6.. Kidlet's embellishments on her schoolwork. The work she brings home is always decorated with little doodles of happy faces, critters, awards, stars and hearts.

I'm terrible about tagging so I won't but don't let that stop you from doing this meme. Even if you just do it mentally or jot your answers down on a piece of paper, thinking about the things that make you happy equals good.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

I'm not blogging a whole lot lately and while Corner View is a good excuse for me to blog, I just can't give it the attention I'd like. I can barely make it around to see all the other glorious views! I'm sure once things settle down, I'll hop back in.

My life is full of lists right now. You'd think going for a 4 day, 3 night camping trip wouldn't take so much planning. We haven't camped in ages and I'm pulling out all the old gear, assessing its condition. I want to make it as plush as possible since hubby will have just spent a week cycling across the state and I'd like him to be able to feast on good food and be comfortable. And besides, I like to camp in style if I don't have to carry it all on my back. French press coffee? Smoked salmon? Fancy cheese? Wine? Yes to all. Now I just have to make it through the week and a half before I actually get to go somewhere. Road trip, how I love ye.

A tip...no matter how cool you think those raindrops look on your rear view mirror as you drive down the road, you may not want to attempt the shot while driving. Maybe pull over before you start fiddling with the controls on the camera. Just a thought.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

and then to the right. I wanted to knit these photos together so you could get the full view but I didn't have time to learn Photoshop this morning (heh heh). The ornamental grasses are totally taking over...they've covered the path.

And in the winter...to an early warm spring day...

A close up of the red roses...it's the days of wine and roses, my friends.

The sky has been amazing with all the crazy rain we've been having.

When I need a moment to myself, I poke my head out the back door and breathe. The baby birds chirrup, the parents sing. In mid-summer, hummingbirds whirl about the flowers as do the butterflies. In late summer when the crazy onions with the white flowers overrun the yard, bees buzz and the yard hums with their buzzing. I try to have a nature-friendly yard and I'm greatly rewarded. I don't use any chemicals or fertilizers and I don't water enough for our desert climate, but a master gardener lived here years ago and the bones of good plantings have done fairly well despite my lack of gardening skills. My backyard is definitely one of the best things about living in this tiny house.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Wow, I'm tired. Kidlet coaxed us into camping in the backyard last night. We are testing and checking all the camping gear to make ready for Hubby's cross-state cycling trip (and Kidlet's, Kiko's and my ensuing trip to pick him up and do a little camping). Hubby went inside around midnight since he wasn't at all tired. Me? I tossed and turned the night away with little snippets of sleep in between. Kidlet slept well and was cozy in her little sleeping bag. Kiko couldn't decide which part of the family she wanted to be with: the outdoor sleepers or her best person who was inside the house. My favorite part of the evening was when I awoke to hear the coyotes yipping in the middle of the night. Did you know the birds wake up at 3:30 in the morning? Neither did I.

I'm thinking of going analog for the cross-state trip. I have an old Nikon SLR a friend loaned me (last summer!) and I have yet to give it a go. I'm also thinking of picking up a pack of Polaroid to give that devilish camera one more chance before I relegate it to a box in the garage. I guess the best idea would be to do a test run with the Nikon before we actually go since it would be a shame to think I was being a dutiful documentarian and instead I come back with blank or ruined rolls of film.

I apologize the blogging has been a bit sparse as of late. I'm trying to spend less compy time and more reading/knitting/film time but in reality it has been 'more sleep' and 'organize the house' time. There's not much you can blog about when life is lots of summer daydreaming, work, and tidying. It'll change. Perhaps it's the calm before the fun storm? See you Wednesday for Corner View...

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

While we live about 4.5 hours from an ocean beach, we are lucky to have two amazing lake beaches within 45 minutes from home. One is in the desert, the other the mountains. Here, let me get out of the way so you can see our desert lake better...

It's always exciting once you've entered the Paiute reservation. You've been driving for miles through the sage-covered hills but then you drive over the last little hill and it's magic: you see a turquoise gem shining amid the dry, pale brown hills. Pyramid Lake is a very spiritual place, both for the native people who live there as well as some of us visitors (except for the stupid kids who spray paint on the rocks, leave trash etc....but I digress). The Brown Pelican makes its home here and I never can get a good photo of one, but they are fun to watch flying close over the water. Pyramid Lake is really very other-worldly. And so pretty.The other lake is definitely more well-known, Lake Tahoe. I couldn't find a basic Tahoe photo; I always have to be artsy-fartsy, taking super-close-up views. Lake Tahoe is up in the mountains, icy cold, deep blue and clear. It's always more crowded than Pyramid, but it has its charms too...

...such as my favorite milkshake and fry stand to go to after being in the sun and cold water! It always comes back to milkshakes. Sigh.

About Me

I am a mama, wife, worker bee and am dreaming of writing a novel. I have a little abode with a wild yard and two sweet pups. I would like to learn to play the vibes. Knitting, wine, old films, and baking are a few things I love.